Definition

1. Noun:
   • Misfortune caused by careless speech: A misfortune, trouble, or calamity that befalls someone as a direct result of something they said. It implies that spoken words have brought about a negative consequence.
   • Trouble from one's mouth: A colloquial term highlighting the cause (the mouth) and the effect (trouble or a curse).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ta bị vạ miệng vì khoe khoang quá nhiều. (He encountered misfortune because he boasted too much.)
  • Đừng nói bừa, kẻo vạ miệng đấy. (Don't speak recklessly, or you'll bring trouble upon yourself.)
  • Cô ấy lo sợ vạ miệng nên chẳng dám phàn nàn gì. (She was afraid of trouble from speaking, so she didn't dare complain about anything.)

Advanced Usage

• The concept often carries a superstitious or proverbial weight, suggesting that words have power and careless speech can invoke real-world penalties or bad luck.
• It can be used to warn someone to be cautious with their words to avoid unintended consequences.

Variants and Related Words

• Vạ mồm (n): A stronger or more colloquial variant with the same meaning as "vạ miệng."
  • Nói nhiều dễ bị vạ mồm. (Talking too much easily brings trouble.)

Synonyms

• Trouble from speaking: Misfortune originating from speech.
• Self-inflicted curse (through words): A negative consequence invoked by one's own utterance.

Related Idioms and Expressions

• Họa từ miệng mà ra: Calamity comes from the mouth. This is a related proverb expressing the same idea.
  • Nhớ câu "họa từ miệng mà ra," đừng nói tùy tiện. (Remember the saying "calamity comes from the mouth," don't speak carelessly.)